Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.
2 SAMUEL 17:15KJVWhat does 2 Samuel 17:15 mean?
2 Samuel 17:15 describes how Hushai told the priests Zadok and Abiathar about the advice that Ahithophel had given to Absalom and the elders of Israel, as well as the advice Hushai himself had given. This verse shows Hushai acting as a double agent, passing on important information to David’s allies.
In this scene, Hushai is secretly working for David while pretending to support Absalom, who is leading a rebellion against his father David. Hushai shares the details of both Ahithophel’s and his own counsel with Zadok and Abiathar, the priests loyal to David, so they can get word to David about what is happening in Jerusalem and help him respond wisely.
The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 17:15
- יָעַץ (ya‘ats, "counsel" / "counselled"): This word appears twice, once for Ahithophel’s advice and once for Hushai’s. It means to give advice or make a plan, highlighting the contrast between the two sets of advice and showing the strategic battle of wits happening behind the scenes.
- זָדוֹק (Tsadok, "Zadok") and אֶבְיָתָר (’Evyatar, "Abiathar"): Naming both priests emphasizes their trusted role as messengers and supporters of David, not just religious figures but also key players in the political drama.
- זְקֵנִים (zeqenim, "elders"): Mentioning the elders of Israel shows that Ahithophel’s advice was not just for Absalom, but was meant to sway the leadership of the nation, making the stakes of Hushai’s report even higher.
Why 2 Samuel 17:15 matters
- This verse clarifies that Hushai was not just passively present in Absalom’s court but was actively working to help David by passing on crucial intelligence.
- The verse highlights the importance of communication and loyalty during a time of crisis, showing how David’s network depended on trusted allies like Zadok and Abiathar.
- Understanding this verse helps make sense of the larger story, where David’s survival depends on the information relayed by these priests and the choices made based on the competing counsel given to Absalom.